Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The election results are in for several races in Clackamas County and the story they may be telling is very insightful.

It seems the electorate isn't pleased by negative campaigning and is returning all incumbents back to office in several positions.

Does this amount to a rejection of more conservative candidates or a rejection in tactics? Many are now asking that question and projecting the impact of this election on both 2014 and 2016.

The Oregonian is reporting that PAC funded challengers failed to unseat the incumbents this primary election.
Details can be found at: Failed to Unseat

These results represents an interesting about face compared to the 2012 county election. Many are asking what this says about the leadership at the county and candidates immediately being elected for one position then running for another within a 1-2 years.

It will be interesting to see how this impacts local elections in the fall of 2014.

Do voters want conservative candidates with a positive message? Only time will tell. but the outcome of this election and recent votes in Damascus clearly signal that voters aren't satisfied with some of the recent behaviors. Why? They were unwilling to unseat incumbents and by doing so rejected the expressed support of several newly elected officials in the county that openly asked for the removal of the incumbents.

Friday, May 9, 2014

This past week Portland is increasing the rhetoric on its proposed street fee. Many in LO are very aware of the degradation of roads as they enter Portland form Lake Oswego. Its a common topic of discussion amongst residents.

LO has had a street fee on utility bills for many years designed to improve road maintenance and funds are used for repaving streets. The current council has established streets as a top priority and the administration has indicated this summer will see a dramatic increase in street projects throughout the city.

Is the council considering increasing fees while the county also proposes a street related fee?

Will LO residents have to pay double fees to both the city and the county? Only time will tell but a ballot measure is being proposed by Clackamas County and will likely be seen in the Fall election. An article on the topic can be found here: Clackamas Road Fee.

Will residents support ever increasing fees (taxes) while the cost of others services continue to escalate well beyond inflation? Only time will tell.